GREEN GODDESS CHICKEN RECIPES

Steps:

• Combine 3 (heaping) cups tender herbs (such as dill, parsely, cilantro, basil, mint, tarragon, and/or chives), ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup plain whole-milk yogurt (or sour cream, buttermilk, crème fraîche, or labneh), 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, 1 Tbsp. drained capers, 1 garlic clove, and a big pinch of kosher salt in a blender.
• Finely grate zest of 1 lemon into blender. Cut lemon in half and squeeze in juice through your hand or a fine-mesh sieve to catch the seeds. Blend on high until bright green, and speckled with small pieces of herbs. Taste dressing and season with freshly ground black pepper and more salt as needed.
• If using 2 chilled cooked medium skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 1 lb.), slice against the grain 1" thick. Tear each slice into bite-size pieces. If using one 15-oz. can chickpeas, drain and rinse well. If using 8 boiled eggs, peel and cut into bite-size pieces. If using three 5-oz. cans oil-packed tuna, drain and flake with a fork into bite-size pieces. Place protein of choice in a medium bowl.
• Add ¼ cup dressing to protein and mix well to combine. Place remaining dressing in a small bowl and set aside for serving.
• Remove any leaves attached to 2 celery stalks. Thinly slice stalks on a diagonal and mix into salad. Season with salt and pepper. Top with any celery leaves.
• Cut 1 ripe avocado in half. Remove pit, scoop flesh out of skin, and cut into ½"-thick wedges.
• Separate leaves of 1 head Bibb, butter, romaine, or iceberg lettuce. Wash and dry leaves thoroughly.
• To serve, place bowl of salad and reserved dressing on a platter and arrange lettuce, avocado wedges, and a big pile of potato chips around. Slice remaining 1 lemon into wedges. Drizzle a bit of juice over avocado. Arrange lemon wedges on platter. Season avocado with some salt and a crank or two of pepper.

Steps:

• Arrange rack in middle of oven; preheat to 400°F. Mix garlic, cumin, oil, paprika, pepper, oregano, 1/2 tsp. salt, and finely grated zest from 1 lemon in a medium bowl. Quarter zested lemon; set aside 2 quarters. Squeeze juice from 1 whole lemon and remaining 2 quarters to yield 2 Tbsp. juice; stir into spice mixture.
• Place chicken breast side down on work surface. Spatchcock chicken by cutting along both sides of backbone with kitchen shears. Remove backbone; reserve for stock. Turn chicken breast side up and splay open. Press down on breastbone with palms until you hear it crack and chicken is as flat as possible. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Rub chicken all over with 2 reserved lemon quarters. Squeeze juice over bird, then rub skin all over with inside of rinds.
• From both edges of cavity, loosen skin from breasts and thighs, being careful not to tear skin. Using your fingers, gently spread 2 heaping Tbsp. spice mixture under skin (reserve remaining spice mixture), then season chicken all over with remaining 1 tsp. salt. Transfer chicken, spread flat and skin side up, to a roasting pan or large skillet.
• Roast chicken 20 minutes, then brush with spice mixture and pan juices. Continue roasting, basting with spice mixture and pan juices every 20 minutes, until juices run clear when thigh is pierced with a fork or an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 165ºF, 50-60 minutes total.
• Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let rest 15 minutes, reserving pan juices.
• Purée cilantro, jalapeños, garlic, oil, lime juice, and salt in a blender until combined. Add mayonnaise and purée until well blended. Transfer to a small bowl, cover, and chill until ready to use.
• Gently toss cucumbers, avocado, scallions, lime juice, oil, salt, and 1/2 cup cilantro in a large bowl. Sprinkle with more cilantro.
• Carve chicken and transfer to a platter; baste with reserved pan juices. Serve with green sauce and salad alongside.
• Green sauce can be made 5 days ahead. Cover and chill.